Independent, dependent and controlled variables of grade 11 practical worksheet term 3 verify Boyle's law

1 answer

To create a practical worksheet for Grade 11 that verifies Boyle's Law, we need to identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables in the experiment. Boyle's Law states that for a given mass of gas at constant temperature, the pressure of the gas is inversely proportional to its volume.

Independent Variable

  • Volume of Gas: This is the variable that you will change during the experiment. You can alter the volume of the gas in a closed container using a syringe or a gas chamber setup.

Dependent Variable

  • Pressure of Gas: This is the variable that you will measure in response to the changes in volume. The pressure can be measured using a pressure gauge or sensor.

Controlled Variables (Constants)

These are the factors that must be kept constant to ensure that the experiment is fair and that your results are valid:

  • Temperature: The temperature of the gas should remain constant throughout the experiment. This can be achieved by conducting the experiment in a temperature-controlled environment.
  • Amount of Gas: The amount (or number of moles) of gas being used should not change. Ensure the same gas is used throughout the experiment.
  • Type of Gas: The same type of gas should be used (e.g., air, carbon dioxide, etc.), as different gases may behave differently under pressure changes.
  • Container Type: Use the same type of container (syringe or gas chamber) with consistent material properties to reduce variability.

Sample Experiment Setup

  1. Materials Needed: Syringe, pressure gauge, ruler or measurement device, clamp stand, gas (e.g., air), and thermometer (to monitor temperature).
  2. Procedure:
    • Set up the syringe with the pressure gauge attached.
    • Adjust the volume by pulling or pushing the plunger of the syringe.
    • Measure and record the pressure at various volumes.
    • Keep the syringe at room temperature to ensure that the temperature remains constant.
  3. Data Collection: Record your data in a table with columns for volume and corresponding pressure measurements.

Conclusion

To verify Boyle’s Law, graph the pressure (y-axis) vs. volume (x-axis) and look for a hyperbolic relationship, which would support the principle that pressure and volume are inversely related.

This structure provides a clear outline for the practical investigation of Boyle's Law, highlighting the necessary variables required for a successful experiment.